The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-08-06
THE GARDEN.



For roofing, the best cutting of a plant
is a shoot of new growth Just before it
grows woody at all or iIbrous, but will snap
Off clean without strings. This should
have three buds If possible, though one
leaf and leaf bud will start with good care.
Roots start from the bud at the base of the
leaf sooner than from my other part.
Take off the leaves for an inch or two and
stick the cutting in sand to the lowest bud.
Cuttings should be kept entirely fresh until
planted by setting them in water or by
wrapping them lightly in moist cloth.
Tie loss of their sap by evaporation before
or after setting is their death.
Cuttings folded IN wet moss, with waxed
or oiled paper around them, will 90 a week
or more in condition if done uD as soon as
out. II is we'll to water and sprinkle the
whole plant thoroughly the evening before
taking Oft slips and cut in the dew At
least water and shade an hour before cut
ting so that the plant may be in fullest
vigor. Keep the pan of water, wet sand,
or moist cloth at hand to receive the cut
tings as made.
Boxes three inches deep. half filed with
sand and a light mixture of fbrv soil or
earth mould, faced of with an inch of
pure sand, make good cutting tozes when
a number are to be struck. FOR a few cut
tng~ the best thing is n 81 Inch flower lot,
thu drain hole plugged with a cork, two
inches of crooks LAID in and a porous pot
half the size or less set within the larger
one ana kept full Of water Between the
rims of the two pots, which should be on
n level, the space is filled with sand in
which the cuttings are set against the outer
rim and we'll wet. The draining from the
inside pot of water keeps the cuttings
always moist and they hasten to root.
Sand Is best, being easy for the tender
TOot-thTeads TO enter and free from decay
iug particles. When the first roots are
made known by the freeheniug of the
terminal bud or shoot of the cutting, i'm
meulately pot or change to richer soil that
has food for the plant. or IT will lose
strength. Prompt planting must be Given.
shade the cuttings for the first day or
two until the first shock of the change is
over. Even rose geIaniums, which seem
made Of sun are the better for q few hours
shading when cut. The sun will dry and
Kill the newly-cut slips or iniure and
wealen them. Seeds and cuttings never
start better than under shades of oiled
paper tied over the pot or tackled on the
POTS. For open ground, frames with oiled
cotton covers should he used TO protect
tender cuttings from changes of tempara-
ture. Cuttings of quick growing herha-
ceous plants, ike heliOtrope, yerbena,
phloy. alternantheras, root quickly, chrys-
anthemums soonest of all. Nearly all
plants root best in Spring, still there Is no
month when cuttings cannot be rooted with
care. Choose cuttings when the plant is
most vigorous. With all cuttings from
herhaceous or woody plants. the rule must
be to keep the roots warm and the top cool.
Almost any shoot or slip will grow set In
moist sand over pipes hot with the top kept
in cool air. This forces the roots into
growth. while the top keeus alive, but
dormant. II both are in the heat, the
plant Is drawn, puuy, and soon willis after
a promising growth. A box over a pan of
hot water or bricks, in cool room where
the sun plays freely but does not strike the
plants, Is as good start for cuttings a.
can be found.
De not set shrubs or trees too deep or